Biography of J. H. EdwardsLouisa County, IA Biographies

J. H. EDWARDS.
Among the citizens of Louisa county, now deceased, whose names are held in loving remembrance was J. H. Edwards,
who died October 19, 1888. He spent nearly his entire life in this county and by his industry, enterprise and good
judgment accumulated a competency, becoming the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which
he bequeathed to his family.

He was born in Blount county, Tennessee, May 17, 1842, a son of Madison and Esther (Johnston) Edwards, both of
whom were natives of Blount county, Tennessee. The family came to Louisa county, Iowa, in the '40s and located
on government land. Both the parents are deceased, the father having died many years ago, and the mother's death
occurring June to, 1911, at the age of eighty seven years.

The only son of his parents, J. H. Edwards grew to manhood at his mother's home, and he possessed such advantages
of education and training as were available in the country districts in Iowa in the years preceding the Civil war.
After arriving at maturity he began farming on his own account, applying himself with a diligence that soon yielded
substantial returns. He became the owner of a productive place in Union township, the neat appearance of the farm
indicating that he gave to it his close attention. He was a general farmer and also engaged in stock raising, and
as he was thoroughly acquainted with the most approved methods he marketed his stock to good advantage.

On September 4, 1866, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage in this county to Ella T. Carson, a native of this county
and a daughter of Mark and Mary (Colton) Carson, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Pennsylvania.
They came to Iowa in the pioneer clays and settled in Louisa county upon government land, which became the family
homestead. Ella T. was their only child. Her father went to California during the gold excitement of 1849 and it
is supposed that he died there. His widow and daughter then lived with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were the
parents of ten children, namely: Margaret H., now deceased; Harry L.; who makes his home in this county; Mary M.,
a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bessie, who married Charles Holada, of Columbus Junction; Roy, of South Dakota;
Grace, the wife of Harry L. Foster, of Johnson county, Iowa; Maud, who married M. McGuire, of Louisa county; Rose,
at home; and Nellie and Mark, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. Edwards voted in support of the democratic party and was from the time of casting his first ballot an earnest
supporter of its candidates and principles. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order whose teachings
of brotherhood he greatly admired. Successful in his calling, he wielded an influence for good Wherever he was
known, always doing what he could to advance the permanent interests of the community. Mrs. Edwards still owns
twos hundred acres of the old homestead, and also is the owner of a fine residence in Columbus Junction, where
she makes her home. She has a large circle of friends throughout this section and is a consistent member of the
German Reformed church, with which she has been connected for many years.

From:
History of Louisa County, Iowa
From Its Earliest Settlement to 1912
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1912